How might online poker look 5 years from now?
Five years from now, online poker could feel like stepping into a whole new world. Picture virtual and augmented reality creating lifelike poker rooms where you can interact with other players as if you're all sitting at the same table. Bitcoin and Ethereum are likely to be the go-to payment methods for speed, security, and fairness by the end of the decade.
AI will play a huge role as well, helping players refine their skills with personalised coaching, analysing gameplay to suggest strategies, and keeping the games fair by detecting collusion or cheating instantly. With all the progress that’s already begun, here’s what we think online poker will look like in five years.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
As new casino sites continue to emerge, technological advancements will likely be integrated into their platforms, giving players an increasingly immersive and dynamic poker experience. According to iGaming expert Matt Bastock, the latest sites already offer some great benefits, like a wider array of payment methods, instant withdrawals, and even anonymous play when crypto is used.
With all of these gains already in place, fast-forward five years, and the online poker landscape may be unrecognisable — a hybrid of digital wizardry and old-school flair, crafting an atmosphere that's nearly indistinguishable from the real deal. Instead of the current two-dimensional, screen-based setup, players might enter virtual poker rooms where they can see and interact with fellow players as if they were physically present.
With VR headsets and AR glasses, the digital table could feel real, allowing players to experience poker from a first-person perspective, complete with realistic environments, lifelike avatars, and interactive elements.
Cryptocurrency
Five years from now, online poker players will be doing business in cryptocurrency — and it'll change everything from depositing funds to cashing out winnings. The use of major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins like USDT could become standard, offering faster, borderless, and more cost-efficient deposits and withdrawals.
With blockchain under the hood, poker players can quit wondering if the system's rigged. Decentralised ledgers capture every hand, outcome, and transaction, providing an open book on the game's history—no ambiguity, no manipulation.
Artificial Intelligence
Undoubtedly the future of online poker will be rewritten in the next five years – courtesy of artificial intelligence. Imagine facing off against opponents powered by AI that adjust their playstyles based on your strategies, offering a level of challenge that feels real and constantly evolving.
Imagine having a poker whisperer in your corner, pouring over your every move to identify areas for improvement - that's essentially what AI analysis brings to the table in 5 years' time. But AI’s role wouldn’t just be about helping players—it would also be working behind the scenes to keep the game fair.
Conclusion
With virtual and augmented reality enhancing the realism of poker rooms, cryptocurrency ensuring fast and borderless transactions, and artificial intelligence revolutionising player strategies and game fairness, the next five years could bring an entirely new era to the world of online poker.
With poker tech barreling forward, the game's fabric is about to be rewoven, producing a dynamic where players collaborate, clash, and continually adapt to changing circumstances, birthing a new type of dedicated, thrill-seeking enthusiast.